More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of Oslo to give the Norwegian football team a heroes' welcome, turning the heartbreak of their FIFA World Cup exit into a huge national celebration. The team's historic run ended in the quarterfinals with a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England on Saturday, shattering Nordic dreams of a semifinal berth.

Massive crowds under the Norwegian summer sun filled the grounds of the Royal Palace early on Monday afternoon, with unofficial turnout estimated at over 100,000 people. The Norway squad touched down to a traditional water cannon salute before commencing their homecoming parade in the capital.

The line of supporters quickly packed the palace square and stretched far down the main street, Karl Johans gate, as the squad first attended an audience with King Harald. The team then stepped out to greet the fans, with the Royal Guard standing at attention behind them.

Striker Erling Haaland was noticeably absent from the final stage of the celebrations, having left early. His departure meant he missed joining his teammates on the palace steps for one last 'Viking row' with tens of thousands of fans below, led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drums.

'Erling and Sander [Berge] had to catch their plane as our trip from the US was delayed four hours,' coach Stale Solbakken said, as the squad prepared to continue the celebrations in an open bus parade around Oslo.

Source: www.aljazeera.com